The A350 XWB (Xtra
Wide-Body) is Airbus’ response to market demand for a medium capacity long range
wide-body family. Designed with airlines’ priorities in mind, the A350 XWB
confronts the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations and
increasing environmental concerns.
Available from 2013, it has an entirely new, uncompromised, 21st Century design
with a wider and taller fuselage for extra space and passenger comfort. A
complete family of airliners sized to generate cost reductions and provide
unprecedented operating flexibility for airlines; three basic passenger versions
are being offered. With a range of up to 8,300nm/15,380km they include the
A350-800 for 270 passengers in a spacious three-class configuration; the
A350-900 for 314 passengers and the A350-1000 seating 350 passengers. An ultra
long-range version, the A350–900R, will fly even further while a freighter
version, the A350–900F, will complement the passenger models.
As befits the most advanced aircraft family in its segment, the A350 XWB is able
to provide greater economy on long-range markets and is equally attractive as a
route opener or as part of a multi-type Airbus fleet offering optimized network
solutions. Thanks to the application of the latest innovations, the A350 XWB is
able to offer 20 per cent lower cash operating costs per seat than competing
aircraft in this size category and fuel efficiency improvements of up to 25 per
cent per seat.
The fly-by-wire A350 XWB Family is a significant addition to the Airbus product
range. A member of the Airbus FBW Family of aircraft, it benefits from the same
operational commonality as the other members of the Family. This handling and
flight deck commonality allows airlines to benefit from the unique Airbus Family
concept of cross crew qualification and mixed fleet flying, and will ensure
smooth introduction into service.